Newsroom

18 October 2018

St Kilda Road bike lanes a reality under Labor

Protected bike lanes down the centre of St Kilda Road will become a reality if the Labor Party wins the election in November.

In a massive coup for people who ride bikes, the two middle lanes of St Kilda Road from the National Gallery to St Kilda Junction will be replaced with a dedicated bike lane with a protective barrier as part of a Labor pre-election promise.

Announced late yesterday, the $27 million project includes building a ‘central safety zone’ with a separated lane in the middle of the road north of St Kilda Junction to Linlithgow Avenue.

Copenhagen-style bike lanes will also be built south of St Kilda Junction from Carlisle Street.

In comments to The Age, Roads Minister Luke Donnellan recognised the current risk that St Kilda Road poses to all road users.

“St Kilda Road is one of our busiest roads but also one of the most dangerous," Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said.

"With this investment, we’ll make it safer for everyone to use."

The government vowed the project would be completed by the time the Domain precinct re-opens after Metro Tunnel works are completed in 2025.

St Kilda Road is one of Melbourne’s busiest bike routes, with more than 3,000 bike riders travelling between Melbourne’s southern suburbs and the CBD each day.

At the same time, it’s also one of the most dangerous stretches of road for people who ride bikes and walk.

There were 196 crashes involving a pedestrian or bike rider on St Kilda Road between 2000 and 2015. It is also the state’s number one hot spot for dooring.